The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-09

ana the destruction that wasteth at MONDAY!
FROM time immemorial he has stood like
man OF iron and fought dreadful enemies,
from which whole armies fee in terror and
dismay. When duty calls the honest physi-
can knows no fear. He will not shrink from
the awful conflict, but is ever found in the
forefront and thickest of the fight
/ when the blessed seals that bind the pestllence
| are broke
And crowded cities wall ifs stroke,
How often have we seen him there
| right with the courage OF despair,
| NOT from the irny one inch would yield
| III thence was borne upon his shield.
Al honor TO the physicians of the world!
Az honor TO the men OF thought and action
| All honor to the friends and benefactOrs OF
our racel All honor 10 this grand body OF
men who are engaged in this labor OF love
Tor their fellow menl
Gentlemen Of the association, again ex-
| tend to you thousand hearty welcomes to
Memphis and to Tennessee And trust that
when your labors are done on this earth that
your rewards will be sweeter than those
prophesied by country preacher who in
his prayer, said eve thank thee, our heav-
emily father, that when our trials are over
here below, and we pass over the river Of
death and stand in the sweet fields Of Eden,
there will be no trouble, no tears, no sorrow
there, and we thank thee, oh Lord, there will
| be no doctors there
President Sternbergwas then introduced
by DIR. Thornton, who stated that he
would deliver the annual address, DIR.
Sternberg's address was quite lengthy as
well as highly instructive, being listened
to throughout with the profoundest inter
est and attention. lie read from manu-
script
PRESIDENT sTERNBERG's ADDRESS.
Gentlemen-I am sure that all OF the older
members of the American public health asso-
citation feel, as | do, that our meeting this
year has a special interest due 10 the locality
in which we meet. We feel that the good
city Of Memphis is in a manner, n protege of
our association, because in her hour of dis
tress she appealed TO some Of our distin-
guished members for sanitary counsel, and
acted upon the advice given; and we rccog
nizc the fact that in more than one way our
relations to this city are exceptional.
II was due 10 the yellow fever epidemic Of
1873, Ia which Memphis was the chief suf
ferer, that steps were taken mt our meeting
of that year. in the city Of Richmond, TO urge
upon Congress the importance OF a national
board of health. Recognizing the fact that
cpldomics do not respect State boundary
lines, and that an efficient sanitary service
In times OF emergency requires liberal cx-
ponditure of money, and unity of action ON
the part Of sanitary officials, We urged the
formation Of n central health board, and for
n time IL seemed as II our well meant plans
would be crowned with success. Indeed,
they were crowned with partial success, for
all must recognize that In the carly days Of
It's existence the National board of health ac-
complished much good. II Is unnecessary
for me 10 refer 10 the various circumstances
which conspired TO pamlize the effective
energy of this board. Unhappily it Is a thing
Of the past, and the hopes which We had
founded upon this our bantling are but n
memory OF the past. But we should not be
discouraged that our first effort has failed. A
careful consideration Of the circumstances
which led 10 this failure may enable us to
mature better plan. Such plan. Endorsed
10y the judgment Of the experienced sani-
tarians here assembled, and properly pre-
scented 10 our national legislators, could not
fail tO receive respectful attention.
One thing appears 10 me tD be thoroughly
demonstrated by the experience of the past,
namely: Thata central health board, 10 be cf-
iicicnt must be attached 10 one OF the de-
plrtmcnts Of the government now in exist
cncc, 30 that u may be under the protection
of a Cabinet officer. IL would bc useless TO
ask at the present time that the sanitary in
iercsts Of the country may be represented
by an additional cabinet officer. "a minister
Of public health, although there can be no
doubt that the interests involved are suili-
GENTLY important To justify such an innoya-
ton. But we may ut least demand that the
sanitary interests OF the people Of the United
states shall receive the same consideration
from the national government that Is nc-
corded 90 the educational interests, the agri-
cultural interests etc We may at least ass
Tor bureau Of public health, with a COM
missioner az its head, and with the necessary
secretaries and clerical force 10 make IL ell
CiCnt, and attached Ia such bureau should
be well equipped laboratory In which cx-
pert psychologists, chemists and sanitary
engineers should bc employed IN the expert
mental investigation VI unsettled sanitary
problems, such rs the natural history of dis
ease germs, the best methods Of destroying
them, protective innOcuations AGAINST in
FICTITIOUS diseases, problems In sanitary en-
. dncofinR such rs the disposal OF sewage,
domestic sanitation, etc; food authorizations,
and variety Of other questions oi equal
importance which will readily occur to YOU.
do not approve Of the plan OF having q
central board Of health, composed 81 mem
Der. located In various parts oi the country.
such on organization T. cumbersome. and 70
cannot beeNpcctcd that board which j. only
assembled NJ long intervals, aud of which
the members are occupied hy various pur-
suits, which claim their time aud best
thought, will render the most efficient
service. On the other hlud. by diversity
IT opinions they may greatly cmhaua {,
their executive officer who must necessarily
| be located in Washington. Nor, In my
licials nt the heal Of various departments IN
Washington such as the surgeon general Of
the army the navy and the marine hospital
| service us has been suggested be- much bet
Ter. These officials are fully occupied with
= the dutic' pertaining to their Office, or at
least have not sufficient leisure to undertake
| the executive work ~ central health
bureau. would therefore expect better re-
suits from the untammclcd action ~ a
single commissioner, who would be- response
bic directly a. the Cabinet officer 20 whose
department his bureau was attached anil
who would necessarily be controlled by the
law defining the nature of his duties. In
this case II j. evident that the good accom-
plishcd would depend largely upon the TT
mes, ~ the man selected Tor tho special
duties intrusicd 10 him, aud that a political
appointment In the first instance. or She re-
moyal Of a suitable man for political reasons,
would entirely defeat our object
We may, however. ignore this possibility,
and trust 10 the good judgment of the chief
executive aud the growing public sentiment
In favor 81 retaining efficient bureau officers,
without regard 10 party changes.
In connection with bureau 81 public
health, u would certainly be- desirable to
have on ndyisory board 81 health. 10 which
the commissioner could refer questions for
consideration, or which could advise him II
new measures, or desirable changes in his
regulations which. after full discussion,
commended themselves 10 the Judgment Of
the board. such board should have no
executive power, and the members should
receive no pay beyond their actual expenses
IN attending The appointed meetings. |
would suggest that such board should con-
si,t " the srrcons-grncml ~ the army
the navy and the marine hospital service
and of the presidents oi State boards Of
health. one annual meeting In Washington
would probably answer the purpose for